Mundelein Elementary School District

Spotlight Modular Addition to Washington School

Spring 2016

Even Too Small for Small Students Washington Early Learning Center (grades K-2) has about the same number of students as Mechanics Grove (grades 3-5) and Carl Sandburg (grades 6-8), but in a smaller building. As a result, there are no classrooms for an additional kindergarten, two groups of children with special learning needs, or the art and music programs. In order to provide adequate space, District 75 has analyzed multiple options.

INSIDE THIS EDITION

Superintendent’s Message

2

Big Ten University Math 3 Robotics Team Wins at State

3

District Finances

4

Involved Middle School Students

5

Educating Our Own

5

Nationally Recognized for Student Leadership

6

1:1 Laptop Computers

6

New Foundation Creates 6 a Maker Space Oldest School for Youngest Students

7

Washington Principal Retires

7

Bilingual & Biliterate

8

The district rejected the option of building a $3,000,000 four-classroom addition, because it would have used too much of the district’s reserves and reduced funding for important student programs. Another option the district discarded was to move kindergarten classes to Lincoln School. Currently, District 75 receives $160,000 in rent from two neighboring districts for sharing Lincoln as a tri-district preschool. The loss of that rent, cost of bussing students to Lincoln, and salaries of additional administrative and support personnel would have cost District 75 at least $500,000 per year. Pre-Assembled Modular Construction On February 29, the District 75 School Board approved the purchase of refurbished modular units to create an eight-classroom addition on the west side of Washington School. At a one-time cost of $680,000 for purchase, assembly, and classroom furnishings, the finished 70 ft. by 125 ft. addition will be functional and attractive both inside and out. “District 75 has always focused its resources directly on educating children,” said Superintendent Andy Henrikson. “Purchasing refurbished modular units and doing much of the work with our talented maintenance staff makes it possible for us to add a like-new wing for a fraction of the cost of new construction.” Excavation and foundation work should occur in May. The nine modular units will be delivered and assembled in June. The district will build a connecting hallway and increase the street-side curb appeal by adding a brick and siding veneer. In the drawing to the right by eighth grade art student Max, the new connecting hallway is shown in the middle and the addition is shown behind the tree.

Drawn by Max, eighth grade artist

Building Bright Futures Together Lea el D75 Spotlight en español: http://www.d75.lake.k12.il.us/

@Mundelein75

District 75 Page 2

Superintendent’s Message

Board of Education

Dear Community Member,

President

Wells Frice

Mundelein’s motto of “Start Here; Star Here” certainly applies to children who attend District 75 schools. We have four grade level centers where our students shine. Lincoln School currently houses over 300 pre-schoolers from Mundelein, Hawthorn, and Fremont. The tri-district center better prepares children for kindergarten. At Washington School, kindergarteners next year will have the option of becoming bilingual in English and Spanish. Mechanics Grove School was recently awarded national recognition for fostering leadership in its third through fifth graders. At Carl Sandburg Middle School, 80 percent of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders are involved in extracurricular activities including many that serve their Mundelein community. A survey of District 75 students who graduated last year from Mundelein High School indicated that 85 percent of the respondents were heading to either two or four-year colleges after graduation.

Vice President

Tom Klink Secretary

Kathy Metke Members

Alexandria Avila Fred Goldman Kevin Holly Matthew Rehm

District Facts:  Nationally recognized for its student leadership program

 85% of MHS students from District 75 go on to two or four-year colleges

 Innovative curriculum includes

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math lessons from the Illinois Math & Science Academy

 Student achievement is above the Illinois average

 All teachers are highly qualified and 55% have their Master’s degrees

 1,706 students are enrolled from preschool to grade eight

 Every student in grade 4-8 is provided a Chromebook

 District pupil to teacher ratio of

15.8 to 1 is better than the state average of 18.5 to 1

 Expenses are reduced through shared services with MHS, Hawthorn and Fremont school districts

District 75 has a long history of providing innovative and excellent educational programs. A pioneer in providing full-day kindergarten, District 75 is still one of the few suburban districts to provide this critically important learning opportunity. Our caring school environments foster lasting friendships among a diverse and multicultural group of students. District 75 parents support and encourage their children’s learning and involvement at school. The Parent Teacher Organization sponsors 30 events and programs each year. From a circus-themed Fun Fair for primary students to exciting and creative clubs for middle schoolers, PTO fundraising and volunteers provide exciting enrichment experiences. A newly formed Mundelein District 75 STEAM Foundation has begun fundraising for programs emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). District 75 is fiscally conservative and maintains a balanced budget by actively reducing expenditures. Sharing the expense for technology leadership with Mundelein High School currently saves the district around $100,000 per year. Educating students with special learning needs within the district instead of sending them elsewhere will result in an $800,000 annual savings. Though the cost of living in Mundelein is well-above the state average, District 75 is proud to provide a high-quality education to its students at a per pupil cost below the state average. Thank you for reading about our programs. We hope that you are as proud of your schools as we are of our students. If you read something about which you would like to learn more, please give me a call. I am always excited to talk about our District 75 schools (847-949-2700 or [email protected]). Best regards, Andy Henrikson, Ed.D.

 District 75 spends less per student than the average Illinois school district

Building Bright Futures Together

Learning Page 3

Big Ten University Math High school students who successfully complete calculus have greater opportunities for college placement and scholarships. Carl Sandburg Middle School provides accelerated math courses to a large group of students. In order to increase the number of students with greater college opportunities, District 75 created the Big Ten Math course this year. With Big Ten Universities in their sights, sixth and seventh grade students who choose this option will take two periods of math each day and forgo other elective courses. These students will take algebra in eighth grade and will be on track for high school calculus. After studying the fourteen Big Ten Universities, the program’s first group of 24 sixth graders chose Northwestern University as their inspiration. They were thrilled when NU Wildcats Head Football Coach Pat Fiztgerald sent an inspiring personal video written specifically to motivate them. The coach also sent free spirit wear to the Sandburg students. Middle School students, including those in Big Ten Math, are experiencing a new on-line math program this year that is designed to increase their conceptual understanding of mathematics and provide opportunities for rigorous problem solving. Kindergarten through fifth grade students also have a more rigorous new math program this year. District 75 expects these changes will result in higher student achievement.

Robotics Team Wins at State The state’s teamwork and sportsmanship award was presented to a District 75 robotics team again this year. “The award was extra special because it was given to our new, all-girls robotics team,” said Middle School Robotics Coach Fred Goldman. “The award represents not only the work students do during team practices, but the hard work of all teachers in preparing well-rounded students throughout the District 75 system.” Highlights of the season also included three out of four teams qualifying for state and a first place trophy for Best Research and Presentation. “Though competitive robotics is dominated by private schools with corporate funding, our District 75 students frequently bring home trophies,” said Mechanics Grove Coach Tony Cho. “We are grateful for the support of our parents and the school district.” Coach Cho plans to add a fifth team next year. In addition to learning computer programming and robot design, the students have presented to a team of Google engineers in Chicago, rubbed elbows with engineering students at the University of Illinois, and visited the Technology Convention at McCormick Place.

District Finances Page 4

More for Less District 75 provides more support for student learning than the average Illinois school district. Because the district focuses its resources on student programs, it is able to provide one of the few full-day kindergarten programs in Lake County, has one of the county’s best reading support programs, and provides a Chromebook computer to every student in grades four through eight. However, as shown below, District 75 provides this additional support with less spending than the average Illinois school district.

Operating Expenses per Student

Average Illinois Elementary School District

** In 2014-2015 a one-time adjustment was made to accrue summer payrolls.

In 2013-2014, the average Illinois elementary district spent $11,846 per student compared to $10,009 in District 75. Despite providing programs and supports that many other districts do not and residing in an area with a higher cost of living than the majority of Illinois, District 75 spent 16 percent less than the average school district. A significant portion of this savings was due to paying lower than average teacher salaries. In an effort to attract and retain exceptional teachers, District 75 increased teacher wages in 2014-2015 to be more regionally competitive. During the past few years Illinois stopped honoring its commitment to ensure a minimum level of funding per student. Last year the state only paid 89 percent of its commitment. This year is even more uncertain. To maintain its own balanced budget for next year, District 75 made programming changes in special education, reduced its building improvements budget, reduced administrative support, and eliminated several teaching positions for the coming school year. Given District 75’s reliance on the State of Illinois for 20 percent of its revenue each year, the current stalemate in Illinois politics makes it difficult to predict the future health of District 75 finances.

Student Programs Page 5

Involved Middle School Students Carl Sandburg Middle School is an engaging place. “Whether it’s a sport, a club, or an after-school academic activity, students are learning and exploring their interests,” says Assistant Principal Cam Nystrom. In fact, over 80 percent of the students participate in at least one extracurricular activity. This high level of involvement shows that students feel a sense of belonging and pride in their school. Athletic Director Mike Fansler adds, “Seeing so many students and staff involved in activities before and after school makes us proud of what we have to offer.” Sandburg added soccer and wrestling programs this year to its healthy list of interscholastic sports. For a decade, the school has dominated the conference and region in volleyball and cross-country. Sandburg students also have many choices for non-athletic after-school activities. In the Dubstep Club, students create their own original musical arrangements. "Students extend their learning from music class by focusing after school on creating something new and innovative,” explained Club Sponsor and Music Teacher Robert Pittman. Students are also involved by helping in the community. Whether collecting canned goods for the Food Pantry, gift wrapping holiday presents for children of families in need, hosting a Veterans Day breakfast, or raising money for the Children’s Diabetes Fund, Sandburg students show they care. To help unify staff and students with an aspirational vision, Principal Mark Pilut, staff, and students created the Tiger CODE. “We create Community, take Ownership, engage in Discovery, and put forth Effort in all we do,” said Principal Pilut. “Living the Tiger CODE has increased student engagement and the number of smiles we see each day.”

Whether collecting for the Food Pantry, wrapping holiday gifts for children of families in need, hosting a Veterans Day breakfast for veterans and seniors, or raising money for the Children’s Diabetes Fund, Sandburg students show they care.

Special Education Programs Return to District 75 “We believe that whenever possible, children should attend school with their neighborhood friends in their own community,” said Special Education Director Holly Colin. Working from this premise, District 75 is reorganizing how its talented special education staff helps children learn. With new space added at Washington school, new programs will be available for Mundelein students who are currently bussed to Grayslake and elsewhere. Washington Principal Mary Beth Licke says, “We are pleased to welcome more of our District 75 children in the upcoming school year.” Mechanics Grove Elementary School and Carl Sandburg Middle School will also begin programs that support additional students next year.

Building Bright Futures Together

Innovation Page 6

Nationally Recognized for “Leader in Me” Program Last year Mechanics Grove became one of only 173 schools nationwide to achieve Lighthouse Status for its leadership program. Based on Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the “Leader in Me” program develops leadership skills by helping children choose and practice good habits of mind that lead to success. Principal Tanya Fergus said, “Every child entering our doors has unique talents and gifts. We help them become leaders through coaching and accentuating their talents.” The third through fifth grade students are able to provide examples of how they use the 7 Habits. Third Grader Kameron said, “When I get home, I put First things First by doing my homework before I start playing.” All Mechanics Grove students have leadership opportunities. As a line leader, safety patrol, library collector, or new student mentor, every child receives coaching and practice on leadership skills. On April 28 Mechanics Grove will host its annual Leadership Day. Students, community members, and parents will celebrate how good habits of mind play an integral part of their daily success.

Chromebooks Students at Carl Sandburg Middle School move from class to class with Chromebooks just like students at Mundelein High School. Purchased for each student jointly by parents and the school district, Chromebooks are inexpensive laptop computers that access the Internet and thus, open up a whole new world of learning. “Students now learn so much more with Chromebooks rather than textbooks,” said Dan Swartz, Director of Teaching and Learning. “They find current information from a variety of Internet sources and then synthesize it into creative presentations to show their learning.” Students also work collaboratively by sharing research and presentations with each other and their teachers. District 75 was able to afford the student Chromebooks by reducing the expense of managing the technology infrastructure. District 75 and Mundelein High School agreed to share technology leadership for the next three years to reduce expenses for both organizations. One of the many benefits is that costly Chromebook repairs are often handled by high school students interested in technology careers.

New Education Foundation Creates a Makerspace Coming soon, District 75 will open a new 1,000 square foot space for students to learn, explore, collaborate, and create. The Innovation Station is designed like a Makerspace, which develops a do-it-yourself mindset for creating with technology. Classes are being planned on a variety of high- and low-tech topics, such as robotics, computer programming, electronics engineering, sewing, leatherwork, and woodworking. “The Innovation Station will be a place for all of our children to exercise their creative imaginations,” said Karthik Chandramouli, President of the Mundelein District 75 STEAM Foundation. This will be the first endeavor of the Foundation, a fundraising organization focused on delivering new learning experiences in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.

District 75 Page 7

Our Schools Lincoln Early Childhood Center Pre-School

Mechanics Grove Elementary School Grades 3-5

200 W Maple Ave Mundelein, IL 60060 847-990-1670

1200 N Midlothian Rd Mundelein, IL 60060 847-949-2712

Ms. Carol Bennett, Principal

Mrs. Tanya Fergus, Principal

Washington Early Learning Center Grades K-2

Carl Sandburg Middle School Grades 6-8

122 S Garfield Ave Mundelein, IL 60060 847-949-2714

855 W Hawley St Mundelein, IL 60060 847-949-2707

Mrs. Mary Beth Licke, Principal

Mr. Mark Pilut, Principal Mr. Cam Nystrom, Asst. Principal

Lincoln’s Tri-District Pre-School Program District 75’s Lincoln School was built in 1894. Though closed several times over the years, including most recently from 2011 to 2014, the school now welcomes over 300 pre-schoolers each day. This year Mundelein District 75 joined with Hawthorn and Fremont school districts to form a tri-district early childhood center. Each district saves money by sharing space and personnel. District 75 especially benefits because it collects $160,000 annually on rent from what would otherwise be an empty building. Lincoln Early Childhood Center is more than just a revenue source. It is a school where all staff specialize

in early childhood development and focus on preparing children for success in kindergarten. Dr. Dana Suskind, a prominent pediatrician at the University of Chicago, said, “Education doesn’t start on the first day of school. It starts on the first day of life.” No one is more aware of that truth than Lincoln’s Director Ms. Carol Bennett who said, “Children who start kindergarten ready to learn are much more likely to succeed in school and life. Sharing this building allows teachers from all three districts to collaborate on best preparing our children.”

Washington School Principal Retires After a distinguished career of improving teaching and learning, Washington Principal Mary Beth Licke will retire this June. Mrs. Licke joined District 75 in 2008. She began by helping unify Washington School with teachers from Lincoln and Mechanics Grove. When Lincoln closed, Mrs. Licke led the learning of all kindergarten, first, and second graders. Her expertise in reading instruction was critical to the

development and success of the primary school’s Reading Recovery program. When asked what she has most enjoyed about her eight years at Washington Early Learning Center, Principal Licke said, “Helping and watching the transformation of new kindergarteners into confident second grade learners has been very special.” Board President Wells Frice said, “We will miss Mrs. Licke’s wisdom and insights. She has been a tremendously positive influence on the learning of our youngest children.”

Spotlight

Mundelein Elementary School District 75 470 N Lake St Mundelein, IL 60060

To the attention of: John Smith 123 Main St Mundelein, IL 60060

Bilingual & Biliterate: Future-Proofing our Students The most exciting happening in District 75 next year is the start of a Two-Way Immersion program. Beginning kindergartners will have the opportunity to become fluent at reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both English and Spanish. Why become bilingual? Students who are bilingual and biliterate will likely have better college and career opportunities. Since language learning comes easily for young children, elementary school is the best time to offer such a program. The new program will start with four full-day kindergarten classes at Washington School and will move up each year with the students through middle school. Classes will be a mix of native English and native Spanish-speaking children. Students will receive instruction in one language in the morning and the other language in the afternoon. They will develop vocabulary in both languages. Bilingual Director Yesenia Sanchez says, “The gift of a second language will open many doors for our students in their futures.”

Incoming Principal, Mr. Jim Kallieris

Because Principal Mary Beth Licke is retiring in June, a new principal will kick-off the program next fall. Mr. Jim Kallieris is currently the principal of Oak Terrace School in Highland Park. He speaks fluent Spanish and has experience leading two elementary schools with successful two-way immersion programs. "I'm thrilled for the opportunity to help provide our Washington students with the lifelong gift of becoming fluent in two languages," he said.